High speed printer with ribbon-shift assembly for permitting printing in different ink



SCHALLER ETAL 3,200,740 ER WITH RIBBON-SHIFT ASSEMBLY G PRINTING INDIFFERENT INK Aug. 17, 1965 F. H.

HIGH SPEED PRINT FOR PERMITTIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1962INVENTORJ 04100 W Hues/m0 FRANK H .yc/Mure Aug. 17, 1965 F. H. SCHALLERETAL 3,200,740

HIGH SPEED PRINTER WITH RIBBON-SHIFT ASSEMBLY FOR PERMITTING' PRINTINGIN DIFFERENT INK Filed Feb. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTORS 0AV/0 14Hl/EBARD BY Fem/A H 50/441 5/? United States Patent HIGH SKEEE) PRINTERWZTH RIEBGN-EiHEFT AS- SEMBLY FUR. PERWTTTHNG PRINTING TN DEF- FERENTTNK Frank H. dchaller, Westport, and David W. Hubbard, Stamford, Conn,assignors to Sperry Rand Corpora= tron, New York, N.Y., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Feb. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 171,526 12 Claims. (Cl. MIL-9e)The subject matter of this invention pertains, in general, to printingmachines; and, in particular, to a ribbon-shift assembly forincorporation with such machines to permit selected portions ofinformation to be printed in different inks.

Although the ribbon-shift assembly provided by this invention may beincorporated in many kinds of printing machines, particularly beneficialresults, hereinafter ap pearing, are achieved when it is incorporated inhigh-speed printing machines. Accordingly, the subject ribbon-shiftassembly is hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing figures, as being incorporated in a high-speed printing machineof the rotary type-wheel kind. High-speed printing machines of this kindare especially useful for recording, on paper, at very high printingrates, the very great quantities of information received in the form ofcoded electrical signals from a computing machine during very briefdurations of time.

The paragraph, next following, will provide an introductory appreciationof the nature and basic operating principle of the high-speed, rotarytype-wheel printing machine which is, as is set forth in greater detailhereinafter, operationally enhanced by the incorporation of the subjectribbon-shift assembly therein:

A selected character, embossed on the peripheral surface of acontinuously rotating type-wheel is printed through an inked web, orribbon, on recording paper as the face of a hammer, actuated by controlmeans, presses a small portion of the recording paper and inked webagainst the embossed character at the instant the hammers face and theembossed character are, substantially, in face-toface alignment.

The operating principle of commercially available rotary type-whee1printing machines is, basically, the same as that just described.Characteristically, such printing machines are so constructed as toembody the sophistications needed to perform their principaltask-printing; as well as many other tasks ancillary thereto.Accordingly, in order to provide an introductory appreciation of acommercial embodiment of a rotary type-wheel printing machine, the fourparagraphs, next following, describe, briefly, the nature and operationof such a typical, commercially-available printing machine.

Instead of individual type-wheels, it is usual to employ an elongateddrum, or cylinder, which is arranged for rotation on a driven shaft.Characters of the alphabet, numerals, and other intelligence-bearingsymbols are embossed on the type-drums peripheral surface. The embossedcharacters, or type faces, as they are often called, are arranged in arow-and-column array on the druins surface; parallel rows of type facesrun longitudinally along the surface; and, running circumferentiallyfrom line to line, the type faces form columns.

Spaced apart from, and parallel with, the axis of the drum is anassembly of hammers and hammer actuators. There are as many hammers asthere are columns of type face; a first hammer being situated proximateto the first column; a second hammer being proximate to the secondcolumn, a third hammer proximate to the third column; and so forth. Eachof the hammers has a separate actuator associated therewith.

A character-storage unit, a type face detection unit and ice acharacter-comparison unit cooperate to select and control the hammeractuators in such manner that a line of type is printed during acomplete revolution of the typedrum.

A line of characters to be printed is stored in the character-storageunit. Usually, the characters are stored in a binary code form; eachcharacter being uniquely represented by such code form. For each columnof type face on the type-drum, the type face detection unit serves toprovide an instantaneous binary-coded signal which is representative ofthe embossed character, or type face, which is just arriving in printposition; i.e., at the position where the type face and hammer face arein face-to-face alignment. The particular binary-coded character to beprinted in a particular column is compared in the character-comparisonunit with every binary-coded character signal, in the particular column,generated by the type face detection unit. When there exists an identityof the binary-coded characters, the comparison unit functions to causethe hammer actuator associated with the particular column to operate thehammer.

A fuller appreciation of the kind of high-speed printing machine justdescribed, as well as of the many sophistications embodied thereinto, isto be had by referring to the descriptions and illustrations appearingin the specifications and drawings accompanying the following UnitedStates Patents: No. 2,978,977 for a High Speed Printer, granted on April11, 1961, to l. P. Eckert, Jr., et al.; No. 2,954,731 for anElectronically Controlled High Speed Printer, granted on October 4, 1960to D. C. Durand et al.; No. 2,915,966 for a High Speed Printer grantedon December 8, 1959 to M. lacoby; No. 2,938,193 for a Code Generator,granted on May 24, 1960 to l. P. Eekert, Jr., et al.; and, No. 2,842,663for a Comparator, granted on July 8, 1958 to I. P. Eckert, IL, et a1.

High-speed printing machines of the kind hereinbefore described performthe printing function remarkably well. The rate at which information isprinted is very high. For example, from 400 to 600 lines of characterscan be printed during one minute; each line having about characters.

In addition to performing the printing function very rapidly, suchprinting machines are very versatile. They can print informationreceived directly, in electrical signal form, from a computer; and, theyare adaptable for printing information which is fed to them in codedform on such media as punched cards, magnetic tape and the like.

Although they are rapid and versatile, presently known printing machinesof the rotary type-wheel, or type-drum, kind are not versatile enough toprint selected portions of the information in an ink which is differentfrom that used in printing the rest of the information. Differentcolored inks, or different kinds of ink, cannot be used. For example, itis not possible for such presently known high-speed printing machines toprint some lines of characters in ordinary black ink and certain otherlines of characters in ordinary red ink, or magnetic ink. Shiftingdifferent inked webs, or ribbons, in and out of print position willenable such an achievement. Such schemes are often employed inslow-speed printing machines; for example, in the typewriter. But, suchschemes are, to say the least, highly impractical for use in printingmachines which must perform the printing function very rapidly. In therotary type wheel kind of printer, hereinbefore described, it would bemost impractical to shift one inked web out of print position and shiftanother one into print position in order to print a selected line ofinformation in a different color. To achieve such shifting, this kind ofprinter would have to sufier great revision. Its size and weight wouldincrease. Many components would have to be added. Operationally, itwould be highly complex. But, such revision and addition would,necessarily, con- I a mi) vert the printer from a highspeed machine to aslowspeed one.

However, there exists a more fundamental reason which militates againstserious consideration of shifting such inked webs into .and out of printposition: The rather large size of the inked web, or wide ribbon, andthe way in which it is arranged in relation to the type drum and therecording paper makes it highly impractical to try to shift it into orout of print position. Those persons familiar with rotary type-wheelprinting machines know the relative arrangement and understand the needfor having such a large inked web. (A momentary reference to FIG 1 ofthe accompanying drawing figures will greatly aid the visualization ofthe inked web 24 and its arrangement relative to the recording paper 10and the assembly of type-wheels 18.) High-speed printing machines use upthe ink which impregnates the web at a very rapid rate. Therefore, it isusual to provide an ade quate supply of ink by using a web, or wideribbon, which is very large; very much larger than the familiartypewriter ribbon. Typically, the dimensions of the web provided are asfollows: the width of the web is substantially the same as the length ofthe type drum, or the length of the line of characters to be printed;and, lengthwise it is very long, e.g. six-hundred times the width. Thedirection of web feed, in the print position area, is perendicular tothe lines of printing on the recording paper. Accordingly, the largeinked web, arranged as illustrated and described, is not easilyadaptable for being shifted out of print position to permit anotherinked web, or rib 'bon, to be shifted into print position.

Of course, such large Web dimensions are needed in order to provide anadequate ink storage capacity. onceptually, a narrow inked ribbon,arranged parallel with a line of print, could be used; i.e., like theinked ribbon which is used in such slower speed machines as thetypewriter. However, in order to provide an ink storage capacity in anamount equal to that of the large inked web, a narrow inked ribbon wouldhave to be enormously long. Supply and take-up reels havingprohibitively large diameters would, necessarily, have to be used with anarrow ribbon. Narrow ribbon, in the very great lengths required, is nota commercially available item.

conceptually, shorter lengths of the narrow, inked ribbon could be used;but, at the cost of sacrificing ink storage capacity. The sacrifice ofstorage capacity would necessitate frequent interruption of printing sothat fresh ribbon could be instai led Each such interruption would, ofcourse, be costly. Often, an interruption would be thoroughlyintolerable because of the need for continuous print-out of data; e.'g.,in applications Where the results of process control computations areneeded in a relatively short time after a change in the processvariables.

Therefore, the objectives achieved by this invention include: theprovision of a ribbon-shift assembly which enables selected portions ofinformation to be printed in different colors, or kinds, of ink; theprovision of a ribbonshift assembly which enables such selectiveprinting by high-speed printing machines of the rotary type-wheel kind;and, the provision of such a ribbon-shift assembly which can, easily andeconomically, be incorporated into a wide variety of printing machines,including high-speed printers of the rotary-type wheel kind.

Accordingly, .the paragraph, next following, provides an introduction,albeit brief, to the subject matter embodying the invention, the fullappreciation of which is to be had by referring to the description andclaims, hereinafter appearing, as Well as to the accompanying drawingfigures.

Wit-h a .printing machine, which includes an assembly of type facesavailable for recording characters on paper by impression through aninked medium situated between the paper and type faces there is combinedan additional inked medium and means for positioning it between thepaper and the first-mentioned inked medium. Because the additional inkedmedium is next to the paper, type face impression through both inkedmedia will permit character recordation in the color, or kind, of inkWlll'Ch is contained by the additional inked medium. In order to preventintermix-ing of the inks contained by the media, t the additional inkedmedium includes a masking material situated at the interface between theinked med1a.

Accordingly, an important feature ofthis invention is the provision ofan additional inked medium and means for positioning it relative toanother inked medium. For

example, in the illustrative embodiment hereinafter described, inaddition to .a web containing black ink, a ribbon containing red ink maybe interposed, by a solenoidactuated assembly, between the recordingpaper and the inked web.

Another important feature of this invention is the employment of anadditional inked medium having a coating to prevent intermixture of theinks. For example, in the illustrative embodiment hereinafter described,a

ribbon containing red ink has one side thereof covered with a materialsuitable for masking the ribbon from a web containing black ink.

Other objective achieved, other features and advantages, as well as afuller appreciation of the inventlon is to be had by referring to thefollowing description of one embodiment thereof; and, to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration, in perspective and partly cut-away, showing aportion of a rotary type-wheel printing machine having an inked ribbonand rlbbon shifting means incorporated therein, in addition to its inkedweb; the hammers and hammer actuating mechanism being omitted forclarity.

rFIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of the printing machine shownat FIG. I, viewed along the lines 2--2 thereof, showing, among otherthings, the relative arrangement of a rotary type-wheel, a recordmgpaper, an inked web, a print hammer assembly and an lnked ribbon.

FIG. 3 is an illustration, in perspective, showing a portion of theinked ribbon and part of the means for shifting it; and particularlyshowing the masking material portion of the inked ribbon.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which illustrates electrical controlcircuitry for conditioning and shifting an inked ribbon into, or out of,print position.

As is illustrated at FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a strip of recording paper 10 isadvanced by drive means, not shown, over the sprocket wheels, 12 and 14,in the direction 59 indicated by the arrows. The recording paper 10 isadvanced, line by line, by controlled drive means of the type, and in amanner, which is well known to those persons familiar with rotarytype-wheel printing niachines. One example of a controlled drive meanswhich may be used is described in the specification, and illustrated inthe drawing figures, accompanying the hereinbefore-identified patentgranted to M. Jacoby.

Situated across from one face of the recording paper is arotary-type-drum comprising many type-wheels.

0 Each type-wheel being designated by the reference number 18, is keyedto a rotatable shaft 20 by a key mem ber 22 so that all of thetype-wheels 18 are locked in side-by-side relationship to form atype-drum. For simplicity of illustration, 'only the two end type wheelsat 35 each end of the type drum are shown at FIG. 1.

Between the type-drum and strip of recording paper 10 there is situatedan inked web 24 (shown partly broken away for clarity of illustration)which is advanced, intermittently, around a portion of the type 7 drumssurface. The direction of intermittent advancement may be in thedirection indicated by the arrows. A supply reel 26 and a take-up reel28, controlled for rotation by means not shown, transport the inked web24 around the type-drum. Two guide rollers, 30 and 32, and a type-drumguard member comprising two,

separated, curved plates, 34 and 36 (see FIG. 2, not shown at FIG. 1),serve to guide the inked web 24 around the type-drum.

The curved plates, 34 and 36, forming the type-drum guard member, areillustrated at FIG. 2. They are separated so that the portion of theinked Web 24 at the PRINT POSITION AREA (labelled as such at FIG. 2) mayassume a rectilinear attitude; and, of course, to provide anunobstructed path between a type face, on the type-Wheel 1 8 in theprint position area, and the inked web 24.

The web 24, or wide ribbon, may be a suitable fabric Woven from natural,or syntheitc, fibers and impregnated with ink. The same ink-impregnatedfabric as is presently used in the manufacture of typewriter ribbonswill serve the purpose well. However, because the inked web 24 will berequired to endure type face impressions at high repetition rates, andat high impulse values, it will tend to wear more readily than would theinked ribbons used in typewriters. Accordingly, it is generallyadvantageous to employ a high-strength, woven, synthetic fabric. Forexample, closely woven fibers of nylon, or the like, Will serve thepurpose well. Printers ink of suitable viscosity and of the color, orkind, desired may be used to impregnate the woven fabric. For example,black printers ink which will adhere well to the synthetic fabric chosenmay be used.

A print hammer assembly, designated, generally, by the reference number3 8, is illustrated at FIG. 2. For purposes of clarity, it is notillustrated at FIG. 1. Comprising the hammer assembly 38 are: a hammerelement 4ft, having a hammer face 42; a coil-encompassed core element,designated by the reference number 44; and, an armature member,designated by the reference number 46. As is well known to those personsfamiliar with rotary type-wheel printing machines, when the core element44 is energized, the armature member 46 is attracted,electromagnetically, toward the core element 44 thereby causing thehammer element 44? to fly forward against a face of the recording stripltl.

Arranged between the strip of recording paper it and the inked Web 24,is the inked ribbon 48. Like the inked web 24, the ribbon 48 may be madeof woven natural, or synthetic, fibers. But, it is impregnated with adifferent color, or kind, of ink than that which impregnates the web 24.For example, fibers of nylon, or the like, may be closely woven to forma ribbon, or ribbon-like fabric. Printers ink of suitable viscosity andof the color, or kind, desired may be used to impreghate the wovenfabric. For example, red ink, or magnetic ink, which will adhere well tothe fabric chosen may be used.

Illustrated at FIG. 3 is, among other things, the inked ribbon :8 and amasking material d, integral with the ribbon. For purposes of clarity,the ribbon 48 and masking material 59 are shown in a partly disassembledcondition. As is stated, hereinbefore, the purpose of the maskingmaterial 59 is to prevent intermiXing the black ink in the Web 24 withthe red ink in the ribbon 48 when the ribbon 48 has been interposedbetween the recording paper lit and the web 24 for the purpose ofprinting a line of characters in red ink, rather than in black ink. Inthe exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated. in theaccompanying drawings, it is assumed that the web- 24- is impregnatedwith black ink; and the ribbon 48 with red. Of course, other colors, orkinds of ink may be used. At FIG. 2 such an interposition is clearlyillustrated. The ribbon 4-8 and its integral masking material St) issituated between the inked web 24 and the face of the paper 10. When sointerposed, the masking material 50, being integral with the ribbon 48,is situated between the inked web 24 and the ribbon 43; theinterchanging of inks between web and ribbon being thereby prevented.

Referring, again, to FIG. 3, the masking material 51 may be a membrane,or film, of synthetic material such Q as polyethylene, nylon, or thelike. It is possible, also, to use a fabric of very closely woven fibersof synthetic material such as nylon, or the like. If the maskingmaterial is a Woven fabric it should, of course, be much more closelywoven than the fabric of the ribbon 48. In any case, the maskingmaterial 56 should be relatively impervious to ink; i.e., ink should notbe able to pass through it. It has been found advantageous to employ aribbon 4-3 made from closely woven nylon fibers and a masking material54 in the form of a thin membrane, or film, of nylon; the advantagebeing that the nylon fabric and membrane may be joined along the edgeportions, designated, generally, by the reference number 52, by aheatsealing process.

The mechanisms for feeding, taking up and shifting the inked ribbon 48(and, of course, the membrane Sil) are illustrated at FIG. 1. A supplyreel 54, only partly shown for purposes of clarity, carries themembranebacked ribbon 48 thereon in a spool-like fashion. A takeup reel56 is intermittently rotated by controlled rotation means, notillustrated, so that the ribbon 48 can be fed, intermittently, from thesupply reel 54 to the take-up reel 56 in the direction indicated by thelabelled arrow shown at FIG. 1. The controlled rotation means forintermittently feeding the inked ribbon iii are neither illustrated inthe drawing figures nor described in great detail herein. Many suchmeans are well known to those persons familiar with ribbon feedingmechanisms employed in typewriters and the like. For example, after aline of characters is printed in red ink by type face impression on theinked ribbon 48, the take-up reel can be partly rotated thereby takingup the slack in the ribbon 48 which has been fed by the capstan 63 andpinch rollers 66 and 7t) in the direction shown at FIG. 1. The reasonfor feeding and taking up the ribbon :8 is, of course, to provide freshribbon portions for the next occasion on which red-colored charactersare to be printed; i.e., so that on the next occasion type faceimpressions will be made on the hitherto not used, or little used,portions of the ribbon 48.

For example, a driven shaft (not shown) suitably coupled with thetake-up reel 56, as Well as with the capstan 63 and pinch rollers 66 andiii, may be turned by a camcontrolled clutch mechanism, or the like, tofeed and take up the ribbon 43; such action being timed to occur after aline of characters is printed and when the recording paper It? is,likewise, being advanced to a new line position. However, as is statedhereinbefore, any of the many ways, and means, which are used to feedthe inked ribbon in typewriting machines will be suggestive as tomechanisms for feeding the ribbon 48.

Shown, also, at FIG. 1 are means associated with the supply and take-upreels, 54 and as, which help to guide the membraned ribbon 48.Associated with the supply reel 54 is a ribbon guiding assemblycomprising a guide roller 58 and a guide pin 6%, both of which aresupported on a frame, not shown, of the printing machine by thestructural elements 62 and 64. As is shown in FIG. 1, the guide roller53 and the guide pin 6% are arranged in a mutually perpendicularattitude so that the membranebacked ribbon 48 may be twisted so as tochange its direction of feed. Advantageously, a more compact arrangementof the ribbon assembly is achieved. In like manner there is associatedwith the take-up reel 56, another ribbon guiding means comprising theguide pins 72, '74 and 76; the structural elements 73 and 89 beingpurposeful for supporting these guide rollers and guide pins to theframe, not shown, of the printing machine.

illustrated at F163. 1, 3 and 4 of the acompanying drawings arecontrolled means for shifting the membraned ribbon 48 into, or out of,the print position area; such area being indicated at FIG. 2.

Two hollow shafts, 32 and 84, are individually arranged on theirrespective solid shafts, 86 and $8, for sliding movement. For example,the hollow shaft 82 may be slid upwardly or downwardly, in thedirections indicated by the arrows appearing at FIG. 3, on the solidshaft as which is coaxially situated within the hollow shaft 82.Similarly, the hollow shaft 34 is arranged on the solid shaft 88 forsliding motion; the solid shafts 86 and 88 being immovable because theyare rigidly fixed to the frame, not shown, of the printing machine. Asan example, the solid shaft 86 is supported to the frame by thestructural elements 91: and 92. The solid shaft 88 may be supported withlike elements.

As is more clearly illustrated at FIG. 3, a shipper member, designated,generally, by the reference number 94 is fixed to the hollow shaft 82 sothat it slides together with the shaft. Comprising the shipper member 94are: two crosspiece elements 96; two pin members 98; and, that portionof the hollow shaft 82 which is between the crosspiece elements 96. Themembrane-backed ribbon 48 is held between the shaft portion 82 and theroller members 98 as shown at FIGS. 1 and 3.

Two solenoid-type actuators, 16d and 1112, are associated with thehollow shaft 82. When actuated, in accordance with the schemehereinafter set forth in the description pertaining to FIG. 4, bothactuators cause the shipper member as to move the ribbon 48 into printposition, or out of print position. As is shown at FIG. 1, each actu--ator has a rotary lever: actuator 100 having the rotary lever 104; and,the actuator 1112 having the rotary lever 11%. Both levers, 1114and1ti6, bear against the disklike element 163, which is fixed to thehollow shaft 82. As is illustrated at FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the lever 106bears against the upper surface of the disk-like element 108 and thelever 1G4 bears against the under surface of the element 1133.

Shown at FIG. 1 is another shipper member, designated, generally, by thereference number 110, which is comprised of elements, and members, likethose hereinbefore described in the description pertaining to theshipper member 94; the shipper member 110 coacting with the hollow shaft84 and ribbon 43 in the same manner. Because of like construction andfunction, further description is not necessary.

With the shipper member 111 are associated two solenoid-type actuators,112 and 114, which are illustrated at FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. Also shownthereat are the rotary levers, 116 and 118, which are, respectively,associated with the actuators 112 and 114.

Also shown, at FIG. 1 is another disk-like element which is connected tothe hollow shaft 84 associated with the shipper member 110, in the samemanner as the disklike element 198 is connected with the hollow shaft 82of the shipper member 94. As is the case with the shipper member 94, therotary levers 116 and 118 function to move the shipper element 11% into,or out of, print position. As is described in greater detailhereinafter, the solenoid-actuated rotary levers 1114 and 116 operate inunison to slide the shipper elements 94 and 110 upwardly, into printposition; and, the solenoid-actuated rotary levers 1% and 113 operate inunison to slide the shipper elements 94 and 11d downwardly, out of printposition.

Illustrated at FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which shows the electricalcircuitry for shifting the membranedribbon 48 into, or out of, printposition. The shipper elements 94 and 110 are indicated as being in adown position; i.e., the membraned ribbon 48 is not in print position.This is accomplished by keeping the solenoid-actuators 1G2 and 114energized; and, by keeping the solenoid-actuators 1M and 112deenergized. Thus, the rotary levers 1G6 and 118 depress the disk-likeelements associated with the shipper elements 94 and 111) downwardly.The rotary levers 1G4 and 116 do not provide any uplifting forcesagainst the disk-like elements associ ated with their respective shipperelements because of the denergized condition of the solenoid actuators100 and 112. Accordingly, printing .in black ink through the inked web24, only, is enabled.

In order to enable printing in red ink, the membraned ribbon 48 mus-t beshifted upwardly so as to be positioned between the inked web 24 and apiece of recording paper 1%. Accordingly, the solenoid-actuators 102 and114 are, first, deenergized; and, subsequently, the solenoid actuators101) and 112 are energized. As a consequence, the rotary levers 106 and118 do not exert any downwardly directed forces on the disk-likeelements associated with their respective shipper elements 94 and but,the rotary levers 104 and 116 do exert upwardly directed forces therebyshifting both shipper elements 94 and 110 upwardly. Accordingly, themembrane-backed ribbon 48 is in print position.

The solenoid-actuators 101), 102, 112 and 114 are rotary solenoids. Suchsolenoids are well known, commercially-available devices. Of course,many other kinds of actuating devices, arranged to function in a mannerwhich will result in the shifting operation hereinbefore described, maybe used. For example, a double-stroke, single solenoid may be usedinstead of the two rotary solenoids associated with each shipperelement. Pneumatic or hydraulic actuators may also be employed.

When incorporated with a printing machine of the rotary type-wheel kind,the subject ribbon-shift assembly must, of course, be compatible,operationally, with such a machine. One control scheme for achievingribbon shifting which is operationally compatible with a rotarytype-Wheel printer is shown at FIG. 4. The operation and othercomponents of the control scheme is described in the few paragraphs,hereinafter following:

Assume that a line of printing is being done in black ink; i.e., by typeface impression, column-by-column, through the inked web 24. Of course,the membranebacked ribbon 48 is out of the print position area; i.e., inthe down position, shown at FIG. 2. As is described hereinbefore, thesolenoid-actuators are in the condition of energization, ordeenergization, required to maintain the ribbon 43 in such a position.

If the next line of characters is to be printed in red ink, the shipperelements 14 and 110 must be shifted by proper energization anddenergization of the solenoid actuators, associated therewith. But, theshifting operation may only occur during the period between thetermination of the presently occurring line of black printing and .theinitiation of the next line of intended red printing.

One way of determining termination of the presently occurring blackprinting is to detect the end of a complete revolution of the assemblyof type-wheels 18 which form the type drum. To do this, the counter 120,the sensing head 122 and the magnetic track 124 are employe-d.

The counter accumulates serially-received electrical pulses. When afinite number of pulses has been accumulated an electrical signalappears at the output terminals 126 of the counter. This output signalis fed along a path, diagrammatically indicated by the reference numher128, to .the paper feed controlling means; such means comprising thebrake mechanism 130 and the clutch rechanism 132. The paper strip 10 is,as is illustrated at FIG. 4, advanced by the rotatable sprocket wheels134 when the brake mechanism 130 is disabled, or released, and theclutch mechanism 132 is energized, causing engagement thereof, so thatthe paper drive motor 136 may partially rotate the sprocket Wheels 134through the action of the driven shaft portions 138. (When a line ofcharacters is being printed the brake mechanism 130 is on; i.e., in theabsence of the output signal on path 128, the brake mechanism operatesto hold the shaft portions 138 and, of course, the sprocket wheels 134at rest. In addition, the absence of the output signal operates todisengage the clutch mechanism 132 so that no rotational energy from themotor 136 is transmitted through the shaft portions 138.)

Therefore, the output signal, generated by the counter #120 along path128, causes the brake mechanism 130 to release and, after a very shortinterval, it causes the clutch mechanism 132 to become engaged therebypermitting the paper strip 18 to advance. The brake mechanism 130 andthe clutch mechanism l32 may he the fan i iar electromagneticallyactuated type of mechanisms. Such mechanisms are well known to thoseslc'lled in the art.

During the period in which the paper strip it) is being advanced,printing does not, of course, occur. Therefore, the shipper elements 94and lid may be conditioned and shifted into position. The conditioningand shifting is accomplished by the means, and in the way, described inthe few paragraphs, next following:

When the clutch mechanism 132 and the brake mecha nism 130 have,respectively, engaged and released, the open contacts 149 and 142, closethereby conditioning the ribbon-shift circuitry for enabling ribbonshifting. The ribbon-shift circuitry comprises: the source 14 of theribbon-shift command signal; the coil actuated single-pole double-throwswi ch 1465; the serially connected contacts,

and 142; and the conductor 14?.

When the brake mechanism 13% releases, the contacts lid-d close; whenthe clutch mechanism 132 engages, the contacts 142 close therebyproviting electrical continuity between the coil 1% of switch 146 andthe command signal source Thus, when the contacts lid-ll and 142. areclosed, a signal from the source 144 of the ribbonshift command isenabled to energize the coil 156 there by deenergizing the solenoidactuators i 92 and 114 and energizing the solenoid actuators lid) and112 to raise the shipper elements 94 and lid into print position. Theenergization and deenergization of these solenoid actuators isaccomplished when the energized coil 1% causes the transfer contact 35?;of the switch 46 to break contact with the l sted contact 154 and makecontact with the other fixed contact 155d. As is illustrated at FIG. 4,the potential source tee is normally connected with the solenoidactuators i6 2, and 114 through the serially connected conductor 162,the transfer contact 152, the fixed contact 154- and the conductor Whenso connected the solenoid actuators lt2 and 114 keep the shipperelements 94 and llltl out of print position. But, when the commandsignal energizes the coil Edit, the potential source 169 is disconnectedfrom the fixed contact 154 and, through the transfer contact 152, makescontact with the fixed Contact lfio thereby energizing the solenoidactuators tilt? and M2 through the conductor 166.

When the shipper elements and are shifted into print position inaccordance with the foregoing conditioning and shifting operations andwhen the strip of record ing paper in has been advanced to a new lineposition, the printing machine is nearly ready to print a line ofcharacters in red ink. To make the machine completely ready, the brakemechanism i359 must engage, or hold, the shaft 138 and the clutchmechanism 132 must be disengaged. ln order to do this the output signal,which is a direct current signal of a suitably finite duration, isself-terminating; the output si nal being that signal derived from theoutput terminals 126 of the counter 12%. The counter 12% is discussedhereinafter in more detail.

As is set forth hereinbefore, the serially-connected contacts 14% and142 are associated with the brake mechanism 136 and the clutch mechanism132, respectively; the contacts 14% having closed in response toenergizetion releasing of the brake mechanism till; the contacts 14-2having closed in response to the energization engaging of the clutchmechanism 132. But, when the output signal from the counter 12$terminates, the contacts 14d and 142 are returned to their normallyopened status. Although these contacts open and thereby cause the coilto become deenergized, the transfer contact 1522 still remains incontact with the fixed contact 156 so that the potential source res isstill applied through the conductors 164 and 166 to the solenoidactuators lllil and 112; the solenoid actuators 192 and 114 being, ofcourse, deenergized. Therefore, although the counters output signal hasterminated to cause the brake and clutch mechanisms, 13d and 132, toengage and disengage, respectively, and, in addition, to cause thecontacts 14! and 142 to open, the shipper elements 4 and ill) are,nevertheless, still raised to keep the membraned ribbon 48 in the printposition area so that the printing machine is completely ready, i.e.conditioned, for printing in red ink.

Each of the contacts 14% and 142 are closed, or opened, in response tothe energization, or deenergization, of individual coils, notillustrated at FIG. 4, which are, respectively, associated with thesecontacts. One coil may be connected in parallel with the brake mechanism1-30 to control the opening and closing of the contacts 146; similarly,another coil in parallel with the clutch mechanism controls the contacts142. Such coil-controlled contacts are, of course, the commonly knownrelay. Accordingl since such relays are well known and for purposes ofsimplifying the drawing figures, these coils are not illustrated in theaccompanying drawing figures.

As is illustrated at FIG. 4, and now, perhaps, fully understood from itsfunc ioning, hereinbefore set forth, the witch 1 56 is anelectromagnetically-controlled bistable, latching switch of thesingle-pole, double throw type. Electromagnetically-controlled switches,or relays, of this kind are well known, and widely used. Onecommercially available switch of this kind is described, briefly, in

- the paragraph, next-following:

Sealed within, and protruding through, a glass envelope there is amagnetizable, but not magnetically remanent, reed which is cantileveredfrom the envelopes wall. The free end of the reed is situated betweentwo spacedapart fixed contacts, 354 and 156, which are sealed throughthe wall of an opposite end of the envelope; each of the fixed contactsare fashioned from a magnetizable, non-rcrnanent material such as softiron or the like. The cantilevered reed may be of the same material. Twosmall permanent magnets are used; one of the magnets sets one of thefixed contacts to a north magnetic polarity; and, the other magnet setsthe other of the fixed contacts to a south magnetic polarity. Forpurposes of clarity, these magnets are not illustrated at FIG. 4. When acoil 155 encompassing the envelope is energized, momentarily, with acommand signal which produces a north magnetic polarity in the reed 152,i.e. the transfer contact, the reed 152 will be repelled by the fixedcontact having that polarity. Simultaneously, the fixed contact having asouth magnetic polarity will attract the reed i552. Thus, the reed willtransfer from one fixed contact to the other if the magnetic polereduced in the reed 152 and the magnetic polarity of the fixed contactwith which the reed is in contact are of the same polarity.

Therefore, during the period when the serially-connected contacts 14dand 1 .2 are closed in response to the output signal from the counter12.0, the source 144 of the command signal may be actuated to provide asignal of suitable magnetic polarity for the coil in order to transferthe contact 152; i.e., to change to red-ink printing from black-inkprinting, or from black-ink printing to redink printing. Of course, inthe absence of any command signal from the source 144, the printing machine will print the next line to be printed in the same ink as the lineof printing just completed.

The actuation of a command signal from the source 144 may be done inmany ways; automatically; semiautomatically; or manually, by a humanoperator. The means, or agency, to be used will depend, largely, on theprinting application. For example, a human operator may, with amomentary contact switch mechanism which is in series with a source ofdirect current, select redink printing for the next line of printingwhile a line of black-ink printing is presently in progress. He may,selectively, press the switch mechanism during the blackink printing andhold the switch mechanism until the contacts 14% and 142 are closed toenable the transfer 1 ll contact 152 to change positions to effectuatethe appropriate solenoid-actuators for red-ink printing. As anotherexample, the source 144 may be appropriately proqgramed to print everyfifth line in red ink. As-a fur- 1 may be achieved.

As is illustrated at FIG. 4, a code wheel 168 including an additionalmagnetic track 124 is fixed with the assembly of type-wheels 18 to acommon rotatable shaft 20. Since such code wheels are well known in theart pertaining to rotary type-wheel printing machines, furtherdescription of the code wheel is not needed. The United States PatentNo. 2,938,193 of J. P. Eckert, Jr., et al. discloses such a code wheel.Included on the periphery of such a code wheel is the additionalmagnetic track 124. The track 124 is a peripheral band region withevenly spaced dots of magnetic material situated around the band; therebeing at least as many dots on the band as there are rows of type face.

As the code wheel 168 and track 124 revolve, the sensing head 122converts the sweeping action of the individual magnetic dots into serialelectrical pulses. These serial electrical pulses are accumulated in thecounter 120 until, as hereinbefore stated, a predetermined number ofsuch pulses have been stored. For example, if there are 50 rows of typeface and there are, correspondingly, 50 magnetic dots on the track 124,a complete revolution of the type-drum 13 will cause 50 electricalpulses to be stored in the counter 120. When these 50 pulses areaccumulated, an output signal of finite duration is gated to the outputterminals 126. The output signal may, for example, be a square-wavedirect-current pulse having a period which is compatible with the timeduration required for advancing the paper strip 16. The accumulatedpulses are cleared from the counter 120 at the termination of the outputsignal so that the counter 120 is reset to start counting pulses as thenext line of character printing is initiated.

Counters for performing the accumulation, gating and resetting functionshereinbefore described are well known devices which are widely used formany applications. Because, of the rather rapid printing rate of therotary type-wheel printing machines, static, rapid-acting counters suchas those employing glow-discharge electron tubes, or magnetic cores are,in general, preferred. One example of a counter which is adaptable forperforming the aforementioned functions is comprised of: plural banks ofglow-discharge counting tubes; and AND gate, suitably coupled with thebanks of counting tubes; and, a square-wave generator which, whentriggered by the AND gate, provides the required output signal for thepath 128. Feedback circuitry coupled with the output terminals 126 ofthe counter 12G) may be employed for the purpose of clearing, i.e.resetting, the counter 120.

The rotary type-wheel printing machine with the ribbon-shift assemblyhereinbefore described and illustrated in the companying drawing figuresis to be considered as being an illustrative example of the invention.Many changes, substitutions for, and other arrangements of, the meanshereinbefore described may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention which is defined in the claims hereinafter setforth.

We claim:

1. A machine for printing characters from either of two inking media onthe same surface of the same recording medium, comprising: an assemblyof type faces; a-web impregnated with a first ink and arranged betweensaid assembly and recording medium so that type face impressions on saidweb may be transferred as characters in said first ink onto therecording medium; a ribbon impregnated with a second ink; movable meansmounting said ribbon and arranged for interposition of said ribbonbetween the Web and the same recording medium; said ribbon including anink-impermeable masking medium so arranged that the ribbon, when sointerposed, is separated from the web by the masking medium; and meansfor selectively interposing the ribbon whereby selected type faceimpressions may be transferred as characters in said second ink onto thesame recording medium; transfer of first and second inks be tween saidweb and said ribbon being prevented by said masking medium.

2. In combination with a printing machine including an impressionable,inked fabric which is arranged for leaving ink marks from type faceimpressions on a re-' cording paper; another inked fabric, including anink impervious membrane covering a portion thereof, ar ranged forinterposition from a first position to a posi tion between thefirstunentioned inked fabric and the recording paper, the membranecovering being disposed between both inked fabrics in the interposedposition, whereby marks in ink of the second-mentioned fabric are lefton said recording paper, and control means for selectively interposingthe second-mentioned inked fabric; said control means comprising shippermeans engaging said second-mentioned fabric, solenoid means actuatingsaid shipper means for interposing the second-mentioned fabric, acommand signal source, and a control circuit responsive to said commandsignal source for actuating the solenoid-actuable shipper means.

3. In a printer having opposable printing means including a multiplicityof type faces arranged along a printing line and means for feeding amaterial to be printed between said opposable printing means; a firststrip carrying a first transfer material between said material to beprinted and said opposable printing means in a direction transverse tosaid printing line; a second strip impervious to said first transfermaterial and carrying a second transfer material between said firststrip and said material to be printed; means for feeding said secondstrip longitudinally along said printing line; and means for shiftingsaid second strip transversely to said printing line in and out of aposition adjacent said type faces and between said material to beprinted and said first strip.

4. In combination with a printing machine including an impressionable,inked fabric which is arranged for leaving ink marks from type faceimpressions on a recording paper; another inked fabric, including anink-impervious membrane covering a portion thereof, arranged forinterposition between the first-mentioned inked fabric and the recordingpaper, the membrane covering being between both inked fabrics, wherebymarks in ink of the second-mentioned fabric are left on the recordingpaper, and control means for selectively interposing thesecond-mentioned inked fabric; said control means comprising shippermeans engaging said second-mentioned fabric, solenoid means actuatingsaid shipper means for interposing the second-mentioned fabric, acommand signal source, and a control circuit responsive to said commandsignal source for actuating the solenoid-actuable shipper means,

said control circuit comprising switching means responsive to commandsignals to energize said solenoid means,

and means responsive to the completion of a line of print to connectsaid command signal source to enable it to actuate said switching means.

5. In combination with a printing machine including an impressionable,inked fabric which is arranged for leaving ink marks from type faceimpressions on a recording paper; another inked fabric, including anink-impervious membrane covering a portion thereof, arranged forinterposition between the first-mentioned inked fabric and the recordingpaper, the membrane covering being between both inked fabrics, wherebymarks in ink of t3 the second-mentioned fabric are left on the recordingpaper, and control means for selectively interposing thesecond-mentioned inked fabric; said control means comprising shippermeans engaging said second-mentioned fabric, solenoid means actuatingsaid shipper means for interposing the second-mentioned fabric, acommand signal source, and a control circuit responsive to said commandsignal source for actuating the solenoid-actuable shipper means,

said printer comprises initiating means responsive to the completion ofa line of print to produce an output indicating such line-completion,and paper feed control means responsive to said line-indicating outputto advance said recording paper for printing of a new line,

and said control circuit comprises switching means responsive to commandsignals to connect said solenoid means to an energizing potential, andmeans responsive to the paper-advancing condition of said paper feedcontrol means to connect said command signal source to enable it toactuate said switching means.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein:

said solenoid means comprises at least a first coil energizable tointerpose, and at least a second coil energizable to retract, saidsecond-mentioned fabric; and said switching means comprises a polarizedbistable control relay responsive to a command signal of one polarity toconnect said first solenoid coil to an energizing potential andresponsive to a command signal of a second polarity to connect saidsecond solenoid coil to an energizing potential; said command signalsource providing command signals of said first and second polarities forrespectively interposing and retracting said second-mentioned fabric.

7. The invention of claim 5 wherein:

said printer comprises a set of type faces of various characters foreach position in a line of print, means for rotating said sets of typefaces to present the various characters during the printing of a line,and means rotating with said sets of type faces and having a selectednumber of sensible markings recorded thereon;

and said initiating means comprises sensing means responsive to saidmarkings to produce outputs corresponding thereto, and means receivingand counting said sensing means outputs and producing saidline-indicating output when the count equals said selected number.

8. In a printer having opposable printing means including a multiplicityof type faces arranged along a printing line and means for feeding amaterial to be printed between said opposable printing means; a firststrip carrying a first transfer material between said material to beprinted and said opposable printing means in a direction transverse tosaid printing line; a second strip impervious to said first transfermaterial and carrying a second transfer material between said firststrip and said material to be printed; means for feeding said secondstrip longitudinally along said printing line; and control means forselectively shifting said second strip transversely to said printingline in and out of a position adjacent said type faces and between saidmaterial to be printed and said first strip including shipper meansengaging said second strip, solenoid means actuating said shipper meansfor interposing said second strip, a command signal source, and acontrol circuit responsive to said command signal source for actuatingthe solenoid-actuable shipper means,

said control circuit comprising switching means responsive to commandsignals to energize said solenoid means;

and means responsive to the completion of a line of print to connectsaid command signal source to enable it to actuate said switching means.

t4 9. In a printer having opposable printing means including amultiplicity of type faces arranged along a printing line and means forfeeding a material to be printed between said opposable printing means;a first strip carrying a first transfer material between said materialto be printed and said opposaole printing means in a directiontransverse to said printing line; a second strip impervious to saidfirst transfer material and carrying a second transfor material betweensaid first strip and said material to be printed; means for feeding saidsecond strip longitudinally along said printing line; and control meansfor selectively shifting said second strip transversely to said printingline in and out of a position adjacent said type faces and between saidmaterial to be printed and said first strip including shipper meansengaging said second strip, solenoid means actuating said shipper meansfor interposing said second strip, a command signal source, and acontrol circuit responsive to said command signal source for actuatingthe solenoid-actuable shipper means,

said printer comprising initiating means responsive to the completion ofa line of print to produce an output indicating such line completion,and paper feed control means responsive to said line-indicating outputto advance said material to be printed for printing of a new line;

and said control circuit comprising switching means responsive tocommand signals to connect said solenoid means to an energizingpotential, and means responsive to the paper-advancing condition of saidpaper feed control means to connect said command signal source ot enableit to actuate said switching means.

it The invention of claim 9 wherein:

said solenoid means comprises at least a first coil energizable tointerpose, and at least a second coil energizable to retract, saidsecond strip;

and said switching means comprising a. polarized bistable control relayresponsive to a command signal of one polarity to connect said firstsolenoid coil to an energizing potential and responsive to a commandsignal of a second polarity to connect said second solenoid coil to anenergizing potential;

said command signal source providing command signals for said first andsecond polarities for respectively interposing and retracting saidsecond strip.

11. The invention of claim 9 wherein:

said printer comprises a set of type faces of various characters foreach position in a line of print, means for rotating said sets of typefaces to present the various characters during the printing of a line,and means rotating with said sets of type faces and having a selectednumber of sensible markings recorded thereon;

and said initiating means comprising sensing means responsive to saidmarkings to produce outputs corresponding thereto, and means receivingand counting said sensing means outputs and producing saidlineindicating output when the count equals said selected number.

12. In a selective printer type members settable in response to signalsreceived from an electrical data input,

selectively actuable impression members defining a print position with arow of said settable type presented opposite thereto,

a first ink ribbon spanning the print position adapted to print on asheet interposed between the type members and impression members,

means holding the first ink ribbon in said print position throughsuccessive imprint cycles,

a second ink ribbon, and means movably mounting same from a firstposition away from said print position to a second position covering thefirst ink ribbon at said print position,

said second ribbon mounting means being actuable from a signal in saidelectrical data input to move the r 1. 5 second ribbon to said printposition to thereby prevent printing from said first ribbon andconstituting the sole ink transferring medium for printing on theinterposed sheet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,653,362 12/27Kurowski 197 153 1,741,545 12/29 Smith 197 -153 1,800,399 4/31 Page197-157 1,874,749 8/32 Henry 197 153 16 Cargill et :11 197-172 X Mannino197-172 Phelps 197-172 Schmidt 197-153 Ellerbeck 101-96 Beattie 197-158X Davis et a1. 101-93 Brown et a1. 101-93 Campbell et a1 197-172 WILLIAMB. PENN, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,200,740 August 17, 1965 Frank H. Schaller et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 6, line 39, for "hitherto" read hither i thereto column 10, line49, for "pole reduced" read 1 pole induced Signed and sealed this 22ndday of March 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A MACHINE FOR PRINTING CHARACTERS FROM EITHER OF TWO INKING MEDIA ONTHE SAME SURFACE OF THE SAME RECORDING MEDIUM, COMPRISING: AN ASSEMBLYOF TYPE FACES; A WEB IMPREGNATED WITH A FIRST INK AND ARRANGED BETWEENSAID ASSEMBLY AND RECORDING MEDIUM SO THAT TYPE FACE IMPRESSIONS ON SAIDWEB MAY BE TRANSFERRED AS CHARACTERS IN SAID FIRST INK ONTO THERECORDING MEDIUM; A RIBBON IMPREGNATED WITH A SECOND INK; MOVABLE MEANSMOUNTING SAID RIBBON AND ARRANGED FOR INTERPOSITION OF SAID RIBBONBETWEEN THE WEB AND THE SAME RECORDING MEDIUM; SAID RIBBON INCLUDING ANINK-IMPERMEABLE MASKING MEDIUM SO ARRANGED THAT THE RIBBON, WHEN SOINTERPOSED, IS SEPARATED FROM THE WEB BY THE MASKING MEDIUM; AND MEANSFOR SELECTIVELY INTERPOSING THE RIBBON WHEREBY SELECTED TYPE FACEIMPRESSIONS MAY BE TRANSFERRED AS CHARACTERS IN SAID SECOND INK ONTO THESAME RECORDING MEDIUM; TRANSFER OF FIRST AND SECOND INKS BETWEEN SAIDWEB AND SAID RIBBON BEING PREVENTED BY SAID MASKING MEDIUM.